Rail-joint.



No. 803,025. PATENTED OCT. 31, 1905. J. STEPHENS.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1.1905.

- PATENT OFFICE.

JERRY STEPHENS. OF STUART, INDIAN TERRITORY.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application filed May 1.. 1905. Serial No. 258,225.

' T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JERRY STEPHENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Stuart, in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined rail joint and tie, and has foritsobject to produce a device of the character mentioned which will do awaywith all nuts and bolts and which will effectively hold the rail endstogether and at the same time prevent the rails from spreading apart.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a perspective view of a track embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional view taken through part of a tieembodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional viewthrough a part of a tie, showing a modification. Fig. 4 is a combinedperspective view of the various parts.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The numeral 1 indicates the track-rails, which are preferably formedwith a cross-section, as shown in the drawings, but which may be of theordinary construction. As best seen in Fig. 1, the rails are formed withthe sides extending inward to form an approximately triangular-shapedrecess on each side, thus making the top and base of the rail of thesame shape. This has the advantage that when the top of the rail becomesworn by traflic the rail can be reversed and the worn part placed at thebottom. One end of each of the rails is provided with a dovetail tongue2 and the opposite end with a corresponding dovetail recess 3. When therails are in position, it is obvious that the joint will effectivelyprevent their pulling apart. The tiest are provided with recesses 5,(shown in the drawings as dovetail in shape,-) the sides of which areadapted to embrace the base of the rail and prevent its being removedexcept by sliding it out longitudinally. The rails are thus heldsecurely in position and prevented from spreading apart or being liftedout of position. One of these ties is preferably placed so as to form achair for the aforedescribed rail-joint. Where so desired, the

tie may be made in two sections, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When soconstructed, the portion 6 of the tie between the two recesses 5 is madeas a separate part and when in position is fastened to the other part 7of the tie by any parts 6 are preferably formed so as to act like awedge and a small space left between the parts 6 and 7, so that when thebolt 8 is screwed down the rails 1 are forced into firm engagement withthe outer faces of the recesses 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the bolt-openingmay be rabbeted around the top and a coil-spring 1O interposed betweenthe shoulder 2 thus formed and the head of the nut. This will serve toautomatically hold the parts 6 in close engagement with the rails. Thishas the advantage of allowing the tie to be easily removed or replacedwhen necessary and also of allowing free access to the joint should thatbe desirable. The tie may be constructed of any suitable materialsuch aswood or metal or a combination of the two -and when constructed of metalwill preferably be made hollow for the sake of lightness.

In a track constructed as described above it will be readily understoodthat the rails are positively held in place against all kinds ofmovement. While this construction is adapted for use on all parts of arailroad, it will be particularly advantageous on curves, where thelateral thrust of the train has a marked tendency to throw the outerrail away from the inner, and thus cause spreading.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. Arailroad-tie formed with two dovetail slots for the reception of therails, the portion of the tie between the dovetail slots being removableand shaped so as to act like a wedge and force the rails against theouter faces of the slots, said removable section being normally spacedfrom the main portion of the tie and secured thereto by suitablefastening means so that it can be tightened in order to take up wear.

2. A railroad-tie having a recess therein, one side of which projectsinwardly and engages one side of the base of the rail, and a removableportion fitting into the recess and embracing the opposite side of thebase of the rail, said removable portion being provided with a rabbetedbolt-opening through which a bolt is passed to secure it to the mainportion of the tie, a spring being interposed between the shoulder ofthe rabbeted opening .and the head of the bolt.

suitable means, such as spikes or bolts 8. The

able parts being provided with rabbeted boltopenings and a springinterposed between the shoulder of the rabbeted opening and the head ofthe bolt used in fastening the two parts of the tie together.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JERRY STEPHENS.

Witnesses:

J. G. EMMoNs, J. G. EGWOOD

